1. Journals

Estor's Journal

Book

My dragon has abandoned me. She had not the courage nor the fortitude to do what must be done to secure these lands for the future of the civilized peoples of Thylea. Her cowardice will be forever remembered in the histories that we record. But it matters not. I don't need her anymore for now I have the Ultros. Now that the mainland is secure this mighty vessel will be the instrument from which I bring death and defeat to the savages that dwell on the islands of the Cerulean Gulf and the Forgotten Sea. I will be remembered as the greatest of all the Dragonlords. Greater than the simpering fool Xander. Greater than even my brother the king. Soon even the Titans will tremble at the mention of my name. I will live forever…

I have gathered a group of the greatest fighters, sailors, and warriors Thylea has ever seen. I have made them my Thanes and they will crew this great vessel. 200 of the deadliest men and women this land has known will set sail on the morrow and the islands will be bathed in the blood of our enemies. Glory and immortality await! We have been at sea for ten days. The impotent mad Titan of the Sea, Sydon has thrown everything against us and still the Ultros sails on. He has smashed us with 100-foot-tall waves and tried to drag us to the bottom of the sea with whirl pools. He has assaulted us with hurricanes and cyclones yet still we move towards our destiny. I would pay any price to see the look on his face as our ship continues to sail past all obstacles he places before us. Surely, he must know fear now that he knows nothing can stop me.

The Gygan Stronghold on the Island of Yonder has been put to the sword and cleansed with flame. The strength of the Gygans is forever broken. Indeed, if any gygan still draws breath in all Thylea they must know that their race is ended. And they must know that it was I, Estor Arkelander that was the architect of their doom. I can still hear the screaming of their children and the lamentation of their woman as we drove them before us. But being an island, they had nowhere to flee. Even now my men celebrate their mighty victory while their blood dries on our blades. This is what it means to be alive! Tomorrow we begin the utter destruction of all temples and shrines to Sydon on this cursed island. I hope every idol we smash to dust is like a knife in his eye.

[SEVERAL ENTRIES LATER]

It's not enough! The infestation is too deep. I could live 5 lifetimes and not have enough time to rid this land of the filth that inhabits it. There are too many islands. Too many hidden and secret places for them to cower in. I once thought to become immortal by deeds. To be remembered forever as the mightiest warrior in all the world. But now I see that for me to carry out my mission I must find a way to have more time. I have learned things. Things that no mortal has known. In my dreams this knowledge has come to me. I know there is a way for a mortal to become like a god. I will find it. For whom could possibly stand in my way.

Finally, she has revealed herself to me. She comes to me in my dreams. Lutheria, Mistress of Death. She begs me to spare her children! The goddess begs me! A man! The Titans see it now. They see that I cannot be stopped. She says she has an offer for me. Something that only she can give me that I desperately wont. It is obviously a trap but what can she possibly do? She is powerless while I am aboard this vessel. Not even her brother's power could touch the Ultros. Even the Goddess of Death cannot harm me here. This is what I've been waiting for! Eternity is finally within my grasp. Lutheria came to me on her hands and knees, naked and weeping. Beautiful and terrible. I have power over Death herself! She offered this oath: If I swear to end the massacres against her children, she will give my crew and I eternal life by ritual magic. The ritual itself is simple but bloody. My men will understand once they have life everlasting at my side. Tomorrow a new god is born, Estor, God of Thylea.